This program is designed to provide faculty, staff, and students with an opportunity to develop marketable ideas and accelerate the startup process. If you are looking to make an impact with your research, joining our NSF I-Corps program is a great place to start.
NSF I-Corps
The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) at The Ohio State University offers an immersive five-week training tailored to researchers and students eager to explore the commercial potential of their research.
Course description
This course will help you explore the commercial viability of your innovation. The Lean Launchpad approach is a process to help you systematically test key assumptions about your technology/product/service and the customer problems it may solve. This process will help you narrow your focus as you test specific hypotheses about your proposed product/service.
Learn more about the I-Corps Hub in a short 3 minute video.
Learning objectives
- Develop familiarity with Lean Launchpad concepts and tools such as customer discovery, ecosystem mapping, and the Value Proposition Canvas
- Understand customers’ problems (“pain points”) from THEIR perspective.
- Map your customer ecosystem to understand customer roles, requirements, and decision processes.
- Build connections to the commercial ecosystem (i.e., customers, suppliers, funders) for your innovation.
Course benefits
- Prepare for applying for early commercialization funding opportunities such as the NSF Translation to Practice (TTP), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) commercialization grant programs, etc.
- Gain valuable market insight to inform the next steps in your research and/or development.
- Develop network connections and receive mentoring from experienced experts and entrepreneurs.
- Develop an entrepreneurial mindset and toolset beneficial for any career
- 13 Colleges/units
- 98 Teams trained
- 90+ Net Promoter Score
2026 Cohort Dates
The NSF I-Corps program at OSU consists of four in-person sessions, held Friday mornings 9:00-11:30AM at the Student Entrepreneurs’ Center, 1636 N High Street. There are two standalone cohort opportunities available:
Fall Cohort I [September 2026]:
- September 11
- September 18
- October 2
- October 9
Fall Cohort 2 [November 2026]:
- November 13
- November 20
- December 4
- December 11
Information sessions
Virtual information sessions are conducted regularly to provide detailed insights into the I-Corps program. These sessions aim to inform potential applicants about the program's benefits, structure, and requirements. Click here to register for an information session
- August 27 (12:00-12:30 p.m.)
- September 3 (12:00-12:30 p.m.)
- October 21 (12:00-12:30 p.m.)
- October 29 (12:00-12:30 p.m.)
Have any questions?
Reach out to Caroline Crisafulli (crisafulli.1@osu.edu)